Acceptance of COVID-19 preventive measures as a tradeoff between health and social outcomes

Background: A better understanding of the factors underlying their acceptance may contribute greatly to the design of more effective public health programs during the current and future pandemics. The objectives of the present study were to assess their acceptance after populations experienced their negative effects, and their relationships with COVID-19 perceptions.Methods: Data were collected from 2004 individuals through an online survey conducted 6 to 8 weeks after the first lockdown in France. Participants were asked whether they supported eight COVID-19 preventive measures. COVID-19-related perceptions were also assessed using an adapted version of Witte’s Extended Parallel Process Model, together with sociodemographic and environmental variables.Results: Acceptance rate reached 86.1 % for individual protective measures, such as make mask mandatory in public open space, and 70.0% for collective restrictions, such as isolating the most vulnerable people (80%) or forbidding public gatherings (79.3%). The least popular restrictions were closing all schools/universities and non-essential commerce such as bars and restaurants (57.2%). Acceptance of collective restrictions was positively associated with their perceived efficacy, fear, and perceived severity of COVID-19, and negatively with age older than 60 years. Acceptance of individual protective measures was associated with their perceived efficacy, fear, and perceived severity of COVID-19.Discussion: Acceptance rates of COVID-19 preventive measures were rather high, but varied according to their perceived social cost, and were more related to collective than personal protection. Preventive measures that minimize social costs while controlling the spread of the disease are more likely to be accepted during pandemics.

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Self- versus other-directed outcomes, Machiavellianism, and hypothetical distance in COVID-19 antipandemic messages

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.10109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Yidan Huang ◽

Shu Yang ◽

JiaMin Dai

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Process Model ◽

Online Survey ◽

Fear Appeal ◽

Positive Health ◽

Perceived Severity ◽

Public Health Information ◽

Effective Development ◽

Health Intentions

Public health information with a fear appeal is often used to promote people's positive health intentions. Anchored by the extended parallel process model and trait activation theory, in this study we examined the effects of self- versus other-directed outcomes, Machiavellianism, and hypothetical distance on the effectiveness of fear-appeal information in the context of COVID-19. In an online survey of 303 people in Wuhan, China, we found that respondents high in Machiavellianism reported stronger antipandemic intentions in response to a self-directed compared to an other-directed outcome message. This effect was actualized through the trait of Machiavellianism, moderated by hypothetical distance, and mediated by perceived severity. Our findings have implications for the effective development and delivery of public health information for specific groups, and for encouraging more detailed exploration of personality in relation to epidemiology.

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Face Mask Wearing Behaviors, Depressive Symptoms, and Health Beliefs Among Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.590936 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Rick Yiu Cho Kwan ◽

Paul Hong Lee ◽

Daphne Sze Ki Cheung ◽

Simon Ching Lam

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Older People ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Face Mask ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Perceived Severity

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 100 countries. Despite the global shortage of face masks, the public has adopted universal mask wearing as a preventive measure in many Asian countries. The COVID-19 mortality rate is higher among older people, who may find that wearing a face mask protects their physical health but jeopardizes their mental health. This study aimed to explore the associations between depressive symptoms, health beliefs, and face mask wearing behaviors among older people. By means of an online survey conducted between March and April 2020, we assessed depressive symptoms, health beliefs regarding COVID-19, and face mask use and reuse among community-dwelling older people. General linear models were employed to explore the associations among these variables. Of the 355 valid participants, 25.6% experienced depressive symptoms. Health beliefs regarding the perceived severity of disease (p = 0.001) and perceived efficacy of practicing preventive measures (p = 0.005) were positively associated with face mask use. Those who reused face masks (p = 0.008) had a stronger belief in disease severity (p < 0.001), had poorer cues to preventive measures (p = 0.002), and were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Mask reuse was significantly associated with depression only among those who perceived the disease as serious (p = 0.025) and those who had poorer cues to preventive measures (p = 0.004). In conclusion, health beliefs regarding perceived severity and efficacy contributed to more frequent face mask use, which was unrelated to depressive symptoms. Older people who had a stronger belief in disease severity had less adequate cues to preventive measures and reused face masks experienced greater depressive symptoms. A moderation effect of health beliefs (i.e., disease severity and cues to preventive measures) on face mask reuse and depression was observed.

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Listen to the Scientists: Effects of exposure to scientists and general media consumption on cognitive, affective and behavioral mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.31234/osf.io/6j8qd ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica M. Szczuka ◽

Judith Meinert ◽

Nicole Krämer

Keyword(s):

Science Communication ◽

Process Model ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Perceived Threat ◽

Media Consumption ◽

Extended Parallel Process Model ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Direct Exposure ◽

Behavioral Mechanisms ◽

The Impact

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, in an unprecedented amount, scientists around the globe engaged in science communication to provide first-hand epidemiological knowledge and information on preventive measures. Based on the extended parallel process model, the present work aimed to empirically investigate (N = 698) the impact of direct exposure to scientists in comparison to a general COVID-19 related media consumption. The results revealed that direct exposure to scientists positively affected recipients´ knowledge and self-efficacy. General media consumption on the other hand, positively affected perceived threat as well as fear and uncertainty. Both sources positively affected the adherence to protective measures.

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The Appraisal and Endorsement of Individual and Public Preventive Measures to Combat COVID-19 and the Associated Psychological Predictors among Chinese Living in Canada

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944502114010592 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 592-599

Author(s):

Ling Na ◽

Lixia Yang ◽

Linke Yu ◽

Kathryn Bolton ◽

Weiguo Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Perceived Susceptibility ◽

Mainland Chinese ◽

Perceived Severity ◽

The Public ◽

Individual Measure ◽

Lower Education

Aims: The study examines the factors related to the appraisal and adherence of the individual and public health preventive measures. Background: The effectiveness of the measures battling the pandemic was largely determined by the voluntary compliance of the public. Objectives: This study aimed to identify psychological perception factors related to the appraisal of individual measures and endorsement of public health measures during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese living in Canada. Methods: A convenience sample of 656 participants completed an online survey. Nonparametric Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare COVID perception variables (e.g., perceived susceptibility, fear, perceived severity, and information confusion) among different sociodemographic subgroups. Bootstrapped regression models were used to assess the association of these variables with outcome measures. Results: Compared to their counterpart groups, lower perceived susceptibility was reported by adults 65 years and older (p = .002) or retired (p = .015); greater fear was reported by females (p = .044), those with lower education (p = .001), and Mainland Chinese (p = .033); greater perceived severity was reported by individuals with lower education and smaller household size (ps = .003). Perceived susceptibility was inversely associated with individual measure appraisal (p = .032). Perceived severity was positively associated with individual measure appraisal (p = .005) and public measure endorsement (p < .001). Conclusion: Individual behaviour measure appraisal was predicted by lower perceived susceptibility and higher perceived severity, whereas public health measure endorsement was related to higher perceived severity. These results inform the public and the policymakers about the critical factors that affect the preventive measure appraisal and endorsement.

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COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon: A Six-Month Online National Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2554

Author(s):

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Leonard Ngarka ◽

Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi ◽

Leonard N. Nfor ◽

Michel K. Mengnjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Models ◽

Health Personnel ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Face Mask ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Adherence Score ◽

Preventive Behaviour ◽

Predictors Of Adherence

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

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Polarized nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: associations with population age structure and behaviours

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-021-00324-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Junko Okumura

Keyword(s):

Age Structure ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Population Age Structure ◽

Major Factors ◽

Drinking Places

Abstract Background Although the scale of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was relatively small in Japan compared with the rest of the world, the polarisation of areas into high- and low-COVID-19-incidence areas was observed among the 47 prefectures. The aims of this study were not only identifying the factors associated with the polarised COVID-19 pandemic in Japan but also discussing effective preventive measures. Methods This was an ecological study using online survey data which was cross-sectionally conducted by the author. A total of 6000 respondents who resided in 10 low- and 10 high-COVID-19 incidence prefectures, with a wide gap in terms of COVID-19 incidence, in Japan were recruited. Data on COVID-19 cases and geodemographic information were obtained from official government sites. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare variables between the two areas and age groups. Results This study revealed that that age influenced people’s behaviours and perceptions, except one behaviour of ‘wearing facemasks’. The major factors significantly associated with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were ‘commuting by private automobile’ (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.444; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.394–0.501), ‘commuting by public transportation’ (AOR, 6.813; 95% CI, 5.567–8.336), ‘washing hands’ (AOR, 1.233; 95% CI, 1.005–1.511), ‘opening windows regularly’ (AOR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.104–1.412), ‘avoiding crowded places (AOR, 0.757; 95% CI, 0.641–0.893), ‘non-scheduled visits to drinking places’ (AOR, 1.212; 95% CI, 1.054–1.392) and ‘perceived risk of contracting COVID-19’ (AOR, 1.380; 95% CI, 1.180–1.612). These factors were strongly associated with age groups. Conclusions Effective preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission can be developed by understanding the characteristics of populated areas, such as public transportation infrastructure and younger people’s movements and behaviours in relation to the population age structure to contain the current epidemic and protect the most vulnerable elderly people.

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Asthma patients experience increased symptoms of anxiety, depression and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽

10.1177/14799731211029658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 147997312110296

Author(s):

Geertje M de Boer ◽

Laura Houweling ◽

Rudi W Hendriks ◽

Jan H Vercoulen ◽

Gerdien A Tramper-Stranders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Care Workers ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Patients Experience ◽

Anxiety Depression

Population studies showed a decrease in psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asthma is associated with a negative effect on anxiety and depression, which might worsen during the COVID-19 lockdown. The aim of the study was to compare fear, anxiety and depression between asthma patients and patients wit hout asthma pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares fear, anxiety and depression in asthma patients and controls between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 lockdown with a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were invited to fill out several questionnaires pertaining to fear, anxiety, depression, asthma control and quality of life. Asthma patients (N = 37) displayed, during the course of the pandemic, a clinically relevant increase in anxiety (3.32 ± 2.95 vs. 6.68 ± 3.78; p < 0.001) and depression (1.30 ± 1.15 vs. 3.65 ± 3.31; p < 0.001), according to the hospital anxiety and depression levels (HADS) compared to pre-COVID-19 assessment. This was not seen in controls. Also, asthma patients displayed more anxiety about acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls ((5.11 ± 1.99 vs. 3.50 ± 2.79), p = 0.006). Patients with asthma experienced an increase in anxiety and depression levels and were more afraid of acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls. Also, patients with asthma were more likely to avoid healthcare facilities due to fear of acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls. Therefore, we advise health care workers to address these possible negative effects on mental health by phone or e-consults.

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Well-Being of Healthcare Workers and the General Public during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: An Online Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4737

Author(s):

Tuyen Dinh Hoang ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽

Trung Dinh Tran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Health Sector ◽

Well Being ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

The Mean ◽

Restrictive Measures

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures implemented may considerably affect people’s lives. This study aimed to assess the well-being of Vietnamese people after COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted and life gradually returned to normal. An online survey was organized from 21 to 25 April 2020 among Vietnamese residents aged 18 and over. The survey was launched by the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scored 0–25) was used to score participants’ well-being. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of well-being. A total of 1922 responses were analyzed (mean age: 31 years; 30.5% male; 88.2% health professionals or students in the health sector). The mean well-being score was 17.35 ± 4.97. Determinants of a high well-being score (≥13) included older age, eating healthy food, practicing physical exercise, working from home, and adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Female participants, persons worried about their relatives’ health, and smokers were more likely to have a low well-being score. In conclusion, after the lockdown measures were lifted, the Vietnamese have people continued to follow COVID-19 preventive measures, and most of them scored high on the well-being scale. Waiting to achieve large-scale COVID-19 vaccine coverage, promoting preventive COVID-19 measures remains important, together with strategies to guarantee the well-being of the Vietnamese people.

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The Epidemiology of COVID-19 and MS-Related Characteristics in a National Sample of People With MS in China

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.682729 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yao Zhang ◽

Hexiang Yin ◽

Yan Xu ◽

Tao Xu ◽

Bin Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immunoglobulin G ◽

Immune Status ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Final Analysis ◽

National Sample ◽

Continuous Treatment ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Hospital Database ◽

Receive Treatment

Few studies have focused on immune status and disease activity in MS patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to investigate immune status, COVID-19 infection, and attacks in MS patients during the pandemic. An online questionnaire about COVID-19 infection, MS attack, and MS treatment during the pandemic was administered to all 525 MS patients registered in our hospital database from January 1, 2011, to June 1, 2020. Only 384 responded, of which 361 patients could be included in the final analysis. During the pandemic, 42.1% of the 361 patients and 65.0% of the 234 patients on immunotherapies were exposed to teriflunomide. Compared to patients who didn't receive treatment, patients exposed to DMTs had significantly lower levels of neutrophils (P < 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (P < 0.01), and patients exposed to immunosuppressants had significantly lower levels of immunoglobulin G (P < 0.05). Over 80% of our patients followed effective protective measures and none of the 361 MS patients in our cohort contracted COVID-19. Patients whose treatment was disrupted had a significantly higher annualized relapse rate (ARR) during than before the pandemic (P < 0.01), while the ARR of patients with continuous treatment or without treatment remained unchanged. During the pandemic, the risk of MS attack due to treatment disruption possibly outweighs the risk of COVID-19 infection under preventive measures, and MS treatment maintenance might be necessary.

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The More Insufficient, the More Avoidance? Cognitive and Affective Factors that Relates to Information Behaviours in Acute Risks

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730068 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Shuguang Zhao ◽

Yiming Liu

Keyword(s):

Information Seeking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Mainland China ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Perceived Severity ◽

Affective Factors ◽

Information Avoidance ◽

Cognitive And Affective Factors ◽

The Relationship

This study examines the relationship between cognitive and affective factors and people's information-seeking and -avoiding behaviours in acute risks with a 1,946-sample online survey conducted in February 2020, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived information insufficiency correlates negatively with information-seeking behaviour and there was an inverted U-shaped relationship between information insufficiency and avoidance behaviour. As for the risk-related cognitive factors, information seeking increases as perceived severity of risks rises, while information avoiding increases as perceived susceptibility rises. Perceived response efficacy positively correlates with information-seeking and negatively with information-avoidance behaviours. Preliminary results also indicated that different affective factors relate to information-seeking and avoidance behaviours differently.

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